Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Prediction: Will the Gaels Win 22nd Straight Against the Lions?
Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Prediction: Will the Gaels Win 22nd Straight Against the Lions?
Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023
- Start Time: 10:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
Click here for Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Odds
Don’t let the LMU Lions get hot! One of the most improved teams this season, the Lions sit in third place in the WCC. A win tonight against St. Mary’s (who are undefeated in conference play) would go a long way not only in the standings but for team morale. Loyola Marymount hasn’t beaten the Gaels in 22 consecutive games, dating back to 2013. After a scorching hot start to the season, LMU has come back down to earth of late, dropping their last two games. If LMU lost the remainder of their games, this season would still be considered a success. That’s how bad they’ve been in previous years! I give all credit to head coach Stan Johnson, after a brutal first two years, he’s finally got his team bought in.
Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Prediction
St. Mary’s is debatably one of the best college basketball teams in the country. It’s time to stop doubting what Randy Bennett has built out west. This team just took down Gonzaga in their last game. The Gaels are on a 12-game winning streak and haven’t lost on the road this season. Freshman star Aidan Mahaney is already one of the best point guards in the country, putting the entire nation on notice with his 16 points and 3 assists in the second half of the Gonzaga win. Oh, and they have one of the best defenses in the country and don’t turn the ball over. No chance we’re fading this team tonight, right?
I wish that were the case. Sometimes you have to plug your nose, close your eyes, and take the nastiest bet on the board. I’ve talked about it before, bet the number, not the team. Home dogs with winning records getting less than 10 points have been printing money this season, and after LMU lost round one of this matchup less than a month ago, I honestly wasn’t expecting LMU to fit that system. Don’t be the guy (or gal) who takes the bait and thinks they are getting a discounted line with St. Marys playing a sneaky good LMU team. There is a reason this line is short. I believe in the Gaels, but something has to give. They aren’t going undefeated on the road this season, and they can’t win every game against LMU until the end of time. With Cali boy Cam Shelton scoring 20+ points in five of his last six games and Australian forward Keli Leaupepe hitting his stride, I don’t see how the Loins struggle on the offensive end. The Lions have six players who average better than 33% from three, and the one kryptonite of this Gael’s defense is closing out on the three ball.
The spread in this matchup opened up at SMC -8, and with less than half the bets per VSIN, we have reverse line movement at the current number, SMC -7. Sharps and big bets are hammering LMU, and I’ll be right there beside them, getting involved in the action. Don’t be surprised if the Lions show immense heart and win this one outright tonight to break the streak.
Loyola Marymount vs. Saint Mary's Pick
- LMU +7.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Collect $210) Click here for the best odds, available at PointsBet
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Article Author
Krabs is a contrarian bettor who isn’t afraid to fade the public or go against the grain. His betting style not only produces winners but has changed the way many think about the sports betting process. You’ll find Krabs betting on anything from the NFL (at a 60% clip in 2022) to the KBO (8-1-1 in 2022). You won’t find many handicappers with more college basketball knowledge or insight than Krabs. A native of the “DMV,” you can find his work @Krabs_Bets on Twitter, or on Behind the Lines, his daily sports betting show on twitch.